Nigerian Sports Minister Supports Alex Iwobi Amid Criticism Following AFCON Final Loss
Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, has extended words of encouragement to Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, following intense backlash from fans after Nigeria's defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria suffered a 2-1 loss to the hosts, resulting in Ivory Coast clinching their third AFCON title while extending the Super Eagles' record of five losses in finals. Iwobi bore the brunt of criticism from Nigerian fans, prompting him to step away from social media and reportedly consider quitting the national team.
Upon the team's return to Abuja, Senator John Enoh offered his support to Iwobi, acknowledging the challenges faced by athletes in dealing with social media criticism. In a statement, he emphasized the ministry's stance against bullying and assured Iwobi of the country's pride in his efforts.
"I am aware of what is happening on social media, and as a ministry, this isn’t the first time we are going to make a statement against bullying, not just you but our sportsmen and women in general who are exposed to bullying due to the outcome of competitions. We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated," said Enoh on Tuesday.
He continued, "You did your best for your country, and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country are proud of you. Those who are not are in the far minority and do not speak for the rest of our country, so just be strong."
Iwobi, who debuted for the Super Eagles in 2015, has earned 63 caps for the national team, scoring 10 goals. Despite the setback in the AFCON final, the minister's message of support underscores the importance of standing by athletes during challenging times and fostering a positive environment within Nigerian sports.
